When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires. Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s 14 years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.

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Publisher's Summary

When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.

Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s 14 years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires. As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed - and is vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.

Really liked 50 shades trilogy, the crossfire series, and the Stark trilogy. I was looking for something similar but this was awful. He just seemed mean and I have no intentions reading about sharing I mean seriously, if you love someone you don't farm them out to others. Will go no further in this series!!

What was most disappointing about Maya Banks’s story?

Main male character too mean. Shared the girl with other men. Even though he regretted it, I was not interested. And then later, he was such a wimp. Did not stay in character

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Adam Paul?

Needed a female. He was monotone and you could tell he didn't get it. Made a bad story worse.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

All the above except sadness. Was pretty disgusted and sorry I wasted a credit

I generally enjoy Maya Banks' work, but this one left me a little cold. I didn't like Gabe very much as a character and, while I thought I'd grow to appreciate him more as the story progressed, I didn't. I didn't mind Adam Paul's narration - he does speak rapidly but to be honest, that was a plus in a book I just wanted to get out of the way.

As soon as I finished this book I had an overwhelming feeling of anger and disappointment. I felt like I was forced to witness something I didn't want to imagine. So much comparison with the FSoG trilogy and it's nothing like it!!! What was erotic and sexy in FSoG was made dirty and degrading on this story. And I just don't get it because Maya Banks is an amazing writer!!

Very unlikeable characters. Gabe was a selfish jerk. A supreme A-hole and I did not believe his "change" at the very end of the story. Mia is supposed to be an experienced college graduate, a 24 year old rich New Yorker so it's just impossible to believe that she is a spineless girl willing to be used as a cheap sex object. This book felt like cheap smut written for men. It's all about the man's pleasure. And taking his pleasure by humiliating a woman. He would scream and curse at Mia and then use her for his pleasure because he could not "control" himself. And then comes Paris. It actually made me nervous and I had to pause the story and say please let this not be what I think it's going to happen. And then I press play and it was just as bad as I thought. Just disgusting! And to be so easily resolved??

I think that what pissed me off so much was that I was expecting something remotely similar to FSoG. I loved the trilogy and have listened to it several times. I also loved Bared to You and Reflected in you so I enjoy a story with lots of kinky "lovery". But in those stories the men, although damaged, adored their women and it was all about their pleasure and never in a gazillion years would sharing their partner would occur to them. Eww!!!

And after enduring this too crude story the end was beautiful but it didn't explain what would happen with them in terms of the degrading crap Gabe puts Mia through... I'm just mad! If you like sexy stories backed by romance and love you will most definitely NOT like this. Rush is more geared towards men and women looking for audio porn.

Narration: this terrible story is narrated by a terrible narrator. Adam Paul was very monotone, many times read too fast and you get the added bonus of hearing the pages turn. The cheap "love scenes" we're read like an instruction manual. An all around bad experience :(

Different narrator, more likable characters, more complete back story.

What was most disappointing about Maya Banks’s story?

The main characters are not likable at all. Gabe comes off as a cold hearted, over controlling Dom. I lost respect for Mia that she would enter into a relationship with Gabe because I could not find anything redeeming about him. This is basically a bad knock off of 50 Shades of Grey.

What didn’t you like about Adam Paul’s performance?

The narrator is awful, his female voices sound mocking, and his delivery is monotone.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

NO

Any additional comments?

I don't think after listening to this book, I will purchase the other 2.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed the story- it was just as hot and smutty as I wanted in a modern romance novel. I just wish I would of listened to the sample before I used my credit on this book. I would of enjoyed it much more had I been able to read it on my kindle vs listening to Adam Paul's performance. I normally enjoy male voices for romance novels but not when the story is written from a woman's point of view.

Would you be willing to try another one of Adam Paul’s performances?

I would avoid all books performed by Adam Paul in the future. His voice is so monotone that I found my attention wandering. I had to frequently rewind to catch an important part of the story. In a romance novel I want to be wrapped up in the action, not "wait, what's going on? He put what where?" Unfortunately I was tuned out more than I was tuned in.

Yes, I am a fan of her work. However, this story was not at all what I expected.

What didn’t you like about Adam Paul’s performance?

All of his character voices sounded the same.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Rush?

The debasement scene in Paris. It was just awful. It was reminiscent of porn. O_o

Any additional comments?

I thought this book would be similar to FSOG. It was not. The characters were one dimensional and not very likable. The only character I liked a little was Mia and she was just a doormat. I felt like part of the story was unrealistically resolved. After this story, I am not sure if I will listen to the other 2 books in the series.

It's all pretty much been said before - but this is the second MB download that has disappointed me.

This one could have been a tender hot love story but instead it seemed to be very degrading to Mia (beautiful but a doormat) who felt the only way to get her longtime childhood crush (on her brother's best friend and now business partner) and all the fantasies that went with him, out of her system was to sell herself to him and so BDSM enthusiast Gabe, who just came across as a rich, domineering and spoilt jerk, gets his evil contract signed. Unfortunately, for him (and us listeners) things eventually take a turn for the worst when he invites associates to share his toy.

To engage in stories you have to sympathise, empathise, understand and like the characters and their lives but this fell on the seedy side until Gabe finally sees the light and the romance kicked off at the end.

Worth a credit? This fell in my $10 rule so I bought it however in July/August I will download book 2 Fever which is Jace's story in the hope the saying 'things can only get better' will apply.

This story was like a modern romance on crack! There were too many major points to contribute to the story line but not enough build up. I felt like the story was like BAM point 1 then BAM point 2 then etc. The story was rushed! I guess modern romances now are trying to meet/ exceed the "50 shades" standards, but it took 3 books to tell that story. I don't want to read a book and think I'm getting the "cliff notes" version.

Also, the narrator was not that enjoyable to listen to. I think he gave a one note performance and even he rushed some of the dialogue. If a man narrates a romance, then he should narrate it in more of a sultry tone.

I really like the "sweet" series and since then i hope that maya creates another sizzling hit. Therefore expecting more i was disappointed. The story was predictable and a little flat. The sexy parts were ok. But all in all surprisingly boring Its always difficult when the hero has no humour at all. i couldn`t connect with gabe s character at all. Good looks is not enough.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Michele

Grasse, France

12/4/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Very average in every way"

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Characters are quite flat and although it wasn't an unpleasant experience, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary.

What was most disappointing about Maya Banks’s story?

Story is very predictable and no real surprises.

What three words best describe Adam Paul’s voice?

Took me a while to get used to having a male voice ina story I felt was more suited to a femine one, but he did grow on me...

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Out of curiosity yes, but I can't see it becoming a big success...

Any additional comments?

If you've read 50 Shades, you'll be disappointed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Janine

BRACKNELL, United Kingdom

1/13/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Part of the better written erotica genre"

Gabe and Mia - she's his best friend's little sister and as such, is completely off limits. She's had a crush on him forever and when he decides she's ready for defilement, she jumps at the chance to be with him. He offers a mild version of dom/sub and some fairly well written sex ensues.

They have to keep their relationship quiet because her brother will go postal when he finds out. Unfortunately, he walks in on them in the middle of...um... well, you know, and all hell breaks loose.

It's not as good as Sylvia Day or Jodi Ellen Malpas. Even Twilight is of a better quality. Having said that, it is a good read.

It's enjoyable, steamy and endearing.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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